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John,
As the Senate speeds towards passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Senate procedure presents a final hurdle, called a “vote-a-rama.” This is a step of the budget process that essentially means that any Senator can offer unlimited amendments―and that may include Mitt Romney’s Social Security-cutting TRUST Act.
The best way to stop this dangerous amendment is if it never comes to the floor. Can you rush $7 to Social Security Works today to support our legislative work to STOP the TRUST Act before it’s too late?
Michael’s email below explains the vote-a-rama, and why the TRUST Act is such a threat at this time. Read it and chip in!
Thanks,
Alex Lawson
Social Security Works
-- MICHAEL'S EMAIL --
John,
The Inflation Reduction Act, which would finally let Medicare use its buying power to lower prescription drug prices, and make necessary climate investments, is finally set to pass the Senate this weekend. But before it can pass, there’s one more gauntlet that the bill must go through: The vote-a-rama.
I’ll explain what that is, and why it’s so dangerous. But first, can you chip in $7 to save Social Security and Medicare from Republican skullduggery?
The Inflation Reduction Act is moving through the Senate as part of the budget reconciliation process. This allows Democrats to bypass the filibuster and prevent Republican obstruction, but it also triggers a process called the “vote-a-rama,” where senators can offer unlimited amendments to the bill in quick succession, and with little notice—each of which gets an up-or-down vote before anyone can even read the amendments. If the amendment passes, it can become part of the final bill―meaning that Democrats would have to choose between sinking the whole package or accepting some truly heinous policy.
We just heard that Senator Mitt Romney is considering offering his TRUST Act this weekend―so we need to mobilize and make sure that every Senator knows that a vote for the TRUST Act is a vote to cut Social Security.
The TRUST Act creates a fast-tracked, back-room process to push through cuts to Social Security and Medicare that politicians wouldn’t dare consider in the light of day, in view of voters. It is a way to dismantle our earned benefits without taking responsibility for the consequences.
Senator Romney offered a TRUST Act-lite resolution at last year’s vote-a-rama to gauge support and had surprising agreement from Democrats. But Senator Bernie Sanders issued a clear warning of what the amendment would do:
I regretfully oppose this amendment because I fear at the end of the day, what will happen is that we will be cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and impacting some of the most vulnerable people in this country.
We need to make sure that every Democrat rejects closed door cuts to our earned benefits.
Supporters of Romney’s bill―including Senator Kyrsten Sinema―absurdly claim that it reduces the deficit. That’s bull: Social Security doesn’t contribute a single penny to the deficit―it’s independently funded by contributions that working Americans make with every paycheck. But just because something isn’t true doesn’t mean that Republicans won’t use it as an excuse to cut our earned benefits.
We’re going to stop them. Chip in $7 now to ensure that we EXPAND Social Security benefits, never cut them.
Thanks,
Michael Phelan
Social Security Works
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